As summer winds down and students head back to class, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service is helping savings sizzle with extra gas and food discounts for MILITARY STAR cardholders.

From Aug. 19 through Aug. 25, drivers who fuel up with a MILITARY STAR card at Okinawa gas stations will receive 15 cents off per gallon—tripling the everyday 5-cents-per gallon discount.

In addition, service members and their families using their MILITARY STAR card at participating Okinawa Exchange restaurants will receive 15 percent off their purchase—an increase from the typical 10 percent savings.

“These extra discounts help the good feelings of summer last just a little bit longer,” said Okinawa Exchange Store Manager, Ann Yi. “The weeklong savings is perfect for families who are watching their wallet as kids go back to school.”

When service members and their families use their MILITARY STAR card at the pump and Exchange restaurants, they’ll earn points as part of a rewards program that launched last year. Cardholders earn 2 points for every $1 spent in Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy exchange stores, and wherever else the MILITARY STAR card is accepted. For every 2,000 points earned, shoppers will automatically receive a $20 rewards card.

Every day, guests benefit from paying with their MILITARY STAR card. Besides gas and restaurant discounts, cardholders enjoy free standard shipping at shopmyexchange.com as well as a competitive interest rate and no annual, late or over-limit fees.

For information about the features and benefits of the MILITARY STAR card, shoppers can visit www.MyECP.com.

Kadena Main Exchange You Made the Grade Program Rewards Academic Excellence for 2016-17 School Year

Kadena AB – Military students can turn good grades into rewards—and a chance at a $2,000 gift card—with the Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s You Made the Grade program.

Through the program, first- through 12th-graders who maintain a B average or better are eligible to receive a coupon booklet filled with free offers and discounts from the Kadena Main Exchange.

“For 16 years, the Exchange has been honored to reward military students who make it their mission to succeed in the classroom through the You Made the Grade program” said Kadena Main Exchange Store Manager, Ann Yi.

“Military children face unique challenges, including making multiple moves during their academic careers,” Yi said, noting Department of Defense Education Activity reports that most military children move six to nine times before finishing high school. “These students deserve to be recognized for their achievements, and the Kadena Main Exchange is happy to thank them for a job well done.”

The You Made the Grade coupon booklet, which features new coupons for the 2016-17 school year, includes offers for free food such as a Burrito Supreme or Taco Supreme from Taco Bell; a small chicken Philly sandwich at Charleys; a Chicken Po’Boy at Popeyes; and a bacon double cheeseburger and small fry from Burger King.

Students who make the grade will also score at Snack Avenue with a free fountain drink, Yeti beverage, frozen drink or iced tea; free roller-grill hot dog, Tornado or Rollerbite; and complimentary 14-ounce Crystal Cool Cow milk.

The program helps students head to class in style with coupons for a free haircut, 10 percent off footwear and $5 off Under Armour apparel. All offers are valid through July 31, 2017.

The booklet also includes an entry form for the You Made the Grade semiannual sweepstakes. Scholars can enter to win Exchange gift cards worth $2,000, $1,500 or $500. Entries can be submitted once per grading period, with drawings typically held in June and December. The most recent sweepstakes winners were students who shopped at Exchanges at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas; U.S. Military Academy, N.Y.; and Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich.

Students, including those who are home schooled, can receive a You Made the Grade coupon booklet by presenting a valid military I.D. and proof of an overall B average at the Kadena Main Exchange Customer Service. Eligible students can pick up one booklet for each qualifying report card.

Students and guardians visit the Kadena Main Exchange for more information about the You Made the Grade program.

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service goes where Soldiers, Airmen and their families go to improve the quality of their lives through goods and services provided. Exchange earnings provide dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs. The Exchange is part of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors, responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and Air Force through the Chiefs of Staff. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/public-affairs/press-releases.htm or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.

Media Notes:

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Kaura Peres, 050-5865-3100 or pereskn@aafes.com.